Smyrna times., 1887-03-23


was milder, as she faced about carelessly
and stood arranging the roses.
II am sure l hardly understand YOU.
Miss Perkins. Why should you suppose
/ cared what was said about Jason
Hawkes.? Surely he has a right to marry
whom he pleases."
She might have been a little paler than
usual, but her voice was quite steady.
Miss Perkins smiled discreetly.
"There amt much chance for the Young
girls, - she observed, when there's a de
signin' widow come to town Mis- Dar-
rel's just got Jason Hawkes. wound com
pletely round her finger. 'Tisn't that he's
so much account, though if he'd married
you, you could've had good influence.
He's altogether too fond o. race horses
and such like evil doings. But for her to
come and set herself up so Omightily-why,
she amt once returned your call now, III
be bound"
Minerva's lovely face flushed painfully
at the reminder. She stepped from sitting
room to kitchen and put some water in a
vase for the roses. Her heart thrObbed
with a great ache, but never should her
caller know it.
''It's almost time for father to come, 3"
she said, quietly. "I'm going to set the
table now, Miss Perkins. Will YOU sit by
the door? III bring your chair -
'Oh, law! l can manage for myself, 8"
said the elderly maiden, rising in some
haste to push the wooden rocker before
her over the sill and down the length Of
the shining kitchen. 1t was wing of the
house facing the road and the door was
open.
A sudden hOof beat and rumble Of
wheels on the soft and yellow dusty road
A carriage spun by after certain well
known pair of jet black horses.
Miss Perkins sent up shrill little cry
of triumph.
81 never! There they go; he's driving
her out to the fair grounds. What do
you think of that, 'Nervie?"
But Minerva made no reply.
Miss Perkins turned only to see the girl
slip quietly from the room.
Miss Perkins sat there alone for a con-
siderable space The teakettle had begun
to sing cheerily. The snowy table cloth
and the shining glassware had an inviting
aspect There was plenty of Miss Per-
kins' favOrite sauce and sweet pickle;
there was just the kind of tea biscuit and
cOcOanut cake that she dotted on She
closed her eyes and claSped her hands with
a sigh of thankfulness for duty performed
and blessings about to be enjoyed.
Then Minerva's father arrived.
'HOw-dy, Miss Perkins, he said.
''Where's Minnie?''
Minerva reappeared, just little pale
and shadOwy around the eyes.
"Here l am, father, ~ she said, gently;
''tea is ready. had something to do I'd
most forgotten"
Miss Perkins went away just after tea.
She did not stop to "hclp 'Nervie do the
dishes" as usual 1t was getting dark
and she had long walk she suddenly re-
membered.
Minerva went about her work quite un-
assisted. Her father was due at some
village meeting, and so presently she was
left alone in the house
a terrible sense of depression fell upon
her, She wondered il Jason Hawkes.
were coming, She was quite prepared
She had everything ready TO return to
him-his letters and the little pearl ring
he had given her Everything was
wrapped securely; the package was too
heavy for her pOckets-quite too heavy.
She wondered if he would come And
how should she feel when she had given
all back to him and said to Kim that they
had better part? She hardly knew. Oh,
life was hard and bitter! Jason had loved
her-she knew he had loved her-until
that woman had come to the village, the
"designing widow" as Miss Perkins had
said, Perhaps Miss Perkins was right
Minerva finished her work and went to
sit on the porch. The air was heavy with
the scent of rose and hOneysuckle. And
she felt her heart within her as cold as a
stone.
She had sat there less than half an hour
when the gate opened and n form familiar
came swiftly up the walk. Her cold |
heart seemed for moment to stand still. !
Then it throbbed painfully.
Good evening"" she answered very
quietly to his good evening" But she |
didn't give him her hand.
The rest all came about very swiftly.
o pride, for thy stern sake how many |
hearts arc wrungl
He should never know that she had |
learned his treachery. He should simply /
believe she did not care for him Here |
are your letters and the ring" she said /
swiftly, glad that the darkness veiled her
Dallor.
Jason Hawkes. received them in bitter
silence.
''As you choose, then, cOquette," he
nuttered, and, turning, strobe away,
Minerva WOOdfOrd tossed wakefully
lpOn her bed that night, IL was the first
great trouble Of her life, First troubles
ire so bitter,
Everything REQUIRED TO her-everything
hat Miss Perkins had told her concerning
Mrs, Darrell. The widow was young and
pretty. Why should Jason care for hera
She had come from the city and was bright
With city ways and city talk. She seemed
% have money in abundance Oh, it was
ruell The whole thing was cruel.
Minerva fell asleep only toward the
lawn. She rose pale and heavy eyed for
he morning. yet strong in the intention Of
her grief.
The summer day dragged heavily toward
loon, more heavily after, Time was so
Ong, so long, 1t seemed century since
Hiss Perkins had been there with the
ale Of Jason Hawkes. devotion TO the
-oung widow But the dream was over.
t was Minerva's task 20 forget their
lighted vows, to forget the handsome
ace that had been so dear to her.
Probably he would leave the village
Fhen he had married the widow.
Minerva's eyes grew dim; she felt
hOlin0 sensation and steDned to the open